My Heart is Your Heart — But You Are the Hero in Your Story

“No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips…”

~ “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

I felt you all week.

Your pain. Your anguish. Your heartbreak. Your loneliness. Your desperation. Your hopelessness. Your disconnection. Your love. Your need.

I felt it all.

Because my heart is your heart. I feel what you feel. And as I am here for you, I also know that I need to hold you from within the boundaries that my giant empath heart needs.

I struggle to be there for you while not taking on your feelings as my own. Because I felt all of it this week.

Your overwhelming grief.

Grief over watching the heartbreaking events unfold in our country. Or losing your best friend or child to suicide. Or saying goodbye to your beloved furry child. Or having those in your world question your truth. Or feeling disconnected from your children. Or losing the love of your life.

I felt it all. I feel it still.

Because your heart is my heart.

I am holding your heart from afar right now. There’s nothing else I can do in this moment. And I am protecting mine while still caring for yours. Deeply.

Because your story is yours alone — and you are the hero inside of it.

You don’t need me to save you or fix you or show you the way. This much, I know. And I know you already know that for yourself, too.

But I do feel your feels sometimes…without even meaning to.

In the moment when I feel you needing me — or just needing someone — I know that it is only yourself that you need.

You are your own white knight.

Your own savior.

Your own hero.

I can be here, holding space for you. Holding love in my heart for you. Holding your heart in mine.

But you are the hero in this story.

And it’s time.

Take your power back, love.

Please see yourself the way I see you. Oh, what a bright shining light you are. You blind me with your brilliance.

Even as you struggle with your pain. Even as the darkness surrounds you. Your light still shines through.

It’s still there. And I still see it. Even if you don’t. Even if you’ve forgotten.

It might be a tiny bit dimmer, muted by the darkness that threatens to swallow you. But I don’t even notice.

All I see is the inspiration of you.

Can you see it, too? If not, I will remind you.

You have persevered through more than most people experience in an entire lifetime. And you are still here. Even if you don’t want to be sometimes. (Please stay, love.)

I wish you could look in the mirror and see what I see. Past your beautiful eyes, and into your stunning soul. Your giant heart.

Can you see those parts of you? The parts that I see so clearly and so easily? Can you see past the hurt you’ve endured? Past the pain in your eyes and still see the lovely being underneath?

I see you.

I can’t pretend to know how it all feels. But I see you. And I like what I see.

I like the laughter and the light underneath the hopelessness and the darkness. And I love those parts of you, too.

In this moment, all I can hope for is that I reflect back to you the magnificence that I see.

I hope that you rest your weary heart.

Lay down your sword that has grown too heavy after all the battles you have fought.

And take back your power. Take it back and stand in it — fully and completely.

Know that you still deserve the life of joy and happiness that you are mourning.

That we all want to hear your laughter again and see that twinkle in your eye and feel the joy bursting from your heart.

You are the only one who can do that, love. You are the only one who can give that to yourself.

Not your best friend.

Not a new state.

Not the girl or guy you’re crushing on.

Not your children.

Not a new school.

Not your therapist.

Not even the one you call your person.

You are the only one who can do it.

You are the only one who knows how. Who knows what it will take.

But I am here to hold your hand. And your brave heart.

Because I got you.

I can be your hype girl. Your sidekick. Your ride-or-die. Or I can even sit quietly and cheer you on from the sidelines.

But you are the hero in your story.

And I can’t wait to read the plot twist you write next.

“Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you’re nothing
You’re fuckin’ perfect to me…”

~ “Perfect” by P!nk